"Maria la del Barrio is part of the interest of the entire world. It is really, really exciting. It is very challenging to recreate. It is very exciting to recreate it in a Filipino version. It is a big challenge in our part to recreate it.

"And of course, it is very exciting to direct Erich who will play as Maria and Enchong as Luis Fernando."

Bakit sina Erich at Enchong ang napiling gumanap sa mga karakter nina Maria at Luis Fernando?

"They have great chemistry," sagot ng direktor. "It's proven already dun sa mga past shows nila, tulad ng Katorse, sa Tanging Yaman, at sa Magkaribal. So, we put them again together.

"Sa workshop pa lang nila, kitang-kita na talaga namin na talagang iaangat sila ng teleseryeng ito. I have confidence na aangat talaga sila dito."

Hindi ba parang napakabata ni Erich, 20, para sa character na Maria?

"I don't think she is young for the character ni Maria. Si Thalia nga yata is much older sa character ni Maria la del Barrio by that time, she was 18 or 19. Yun yung time na in love siya, nabuntis siya  at nagkaanak.

"So, it's a big challenge sa director nila na pabatain si Thalia. Same thing with Erich na mas right yung age niya for the role of Maria. Saka yung pagkabibo ni Maria, si Erich talaga yun, e."

Magkakaroon ba ng sexy scenes sina Enchong at Erich sa teleseryeng ito?

"Not sexy, but sensual siguro yung right word," sabi ni Direk Rory.

This week ay magsisimula na ang taping ng mga artista para sa telenobelang ito.

Matinding paghahanda at workshop daw ang ginawa ng buong cast, kasama sina Angel Aquino, Ian Veneracion, Paw Diaz, at Charee Pineda. At introducing ang dalawang baguhang artista na sina Tricia Santos at Justine Gonzales.